Be careful! Sta-Set X is not double braid, but rather parallel core. It requires a "uni-fid" which is different from the fids used for double braid, the instructions are different, and splicing is different as well. Splicing guide for Sta-Set X /Parallel Core

Back before the Internet and chandleries everywhere, Peter bought a discounted roll of Sta-Set X line and brought it back to the Caribbean and then gave it to me to splice for halyards. I busily pulled out my selection of fids and directions (I always followed printed directions, even after 20 years of splicing line), and then started. What a shock to find the core covered in a tube of what looked like muslin fabric, and the strands running straight laid, not braided. With no instructions I sort-of made up my own system of splicing it. The following year when we were back in the States for a visit I asked the chandlery about the line they had sold Peter and they said, "oops, should have given him this" and gave me the printed directions for splicing it and the uni-fid. I sure didn't like that uni-fid, though. I had fortunately bumbled into the almost right way to splice it, and those splices lasted the life of the line. Thank goodness because Sta-Set was very expensive stuff.

Easy to curse when splicing. And remember that the splice reduces the length of the line by more than a foot, so be sure to make allowances in the length of the line before you cut and splice it.

__________________In 1986 we went cruising for a few years. After 20 years and 50+ countries and several oceans, we are STILL "cruising for a few years".

JeanneP, unlike you, I had the instructions and the correct fid in front of me the first time I spliced a parallel core rope. I found it to be some of the easiest splicing I did. I also find splicing braid and double braid to be easier than old-fashioned splicing of 3-strand. David and I divvy up the splicing so I always do the braid or high tech stuff, he does the 3-strand stuff (as a kid, he was a eagle scout in a scout troupe that actually had speed knot tying and splicing competitions, for heaven's sake...)

In addition to all the manufacturers' instructions which are free online, Brion Toss's Riggers Apprentice is a good reference book to have aboard for splicing.

Yeah, Brenda, I'm with you. Peter does the 3-strand laid, I do the double braid. I, too, found that the Sta-Set X was easy, once I got over the shock of not having what I was expecting. I am a great second-guesser, though, so I like having the instructions in front of me so I can verify I'm doing it right.

Second-guessing is probably both my strength and shortcoming. When it really comes in handy is in navigation. I always check my plots, Peter's plots, and mine again.

__________________

__________________In 1986 we went cruising for a few years. After 20 years and 50+ countries and several oceans, we are STILL "cruising for a few years".